Third Exam Cut Short. Goodbye, Sarafu.

The disappearence of TenTen caused the Third Exam to be cut short, or more precisely, Hinako's and my battle. I was relieved, but also disappointed. I really did want to see if I could beat Hinako. However, I didn't see a relieved expression on Hinako's face.

"You got lucky, Sarafu" She teased. "You would have died today, if it wasn't for this disturbance."

"How can you call TenTen's disappearance a 'disturbance'?!"

"Well, it is disturbing, isn't it? You can't say everyone is tranquil right now, can you?"

"Well, no, but..."

"It doesn't matter. Its a day off, so I'm going to go hang out, and I don't want you to bother me."

I glared at her. "EXCUSE ME FOR MY EXSISTENCE!!!"

"Its not just that. If you're too close you're idiocy might rub off on me."

A vein popped out of my forehead as I clenched my fists. This girl was asking for it.

"Well, I can't say this was a fun meeting, but later." And with that, she walked off, but not before she mumbled, "But I really wonder why they're making such a big deal about this." Sadly enough, I had to agree with her.

This was almost equivilant to TenTen being dead. It really isn't a reason to stop the whole exam for an entire day. There's something more. Maybe its the fact that it even happened to her. Shigame-sensei did seem to be staring at Guru a lot. But maybe its not Guru himself, but someone on his team. I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

I set off to find Orochimaru, which wasn't hard. All I had to do was find a secluded area, where I was sure no one would sense us. I walked in the mountain range of volcanoes where the heat was dangerously high. With the right movements, I could easily strike a fire here. So, then I could summon my Fire Demon, if the need ever called. I scowled. And there would be a need.

Orochimaru was standing there waiting for me. When I arrived, he playfully said, "Oh well. It seemes my time here has been cut short, so we need to make things quick."

I took out a kunai. "Yes, we do."

He laughed. "Oh, its a fight you want? I would love to rip you to shreads right now, my child, but I'm afraid, I need you alive. Well, for a while at least. You're no use to me dead."

I put the kunai to my neck. "In that case, I'll just kill myself right now. I'm gonna say it now. Orochimaru, I have no intentions to go with you."

He chuckled. "You're going to commit suicide just so I can't get what I want? My, my! Kids are so rebellious, these days. But what if I told you a little secret."

I dropped my kunai slightly. "What would that be?"

"I know the location of your mother."

My heart stopped. Mom? He knows where Mom is? I jerked myself out of my daydream. "Yeah right! Like I'd believe something like that! Do you have any proof?!

There's no way I'd believe what you'd say!"

"Believe me or not, but if you don't come, you'll never know whether I have her or not."

I scowled. He is trying to peak my curiosity. But if I go with him, I could find my mother. Even if she isn't there, I could always try to run away. Orochimaru said he needs me alive, so I could just threaten to kill myself. I'm sure I could do it. My hand fell to my side and I put the kunai back into my pocket.

Orochimaru smiled knowlingly. "I'll give you some time. If you really want to come with me, then meet me at the edge of town tonight."

"Wait!" I yelled. "What is going on? Why must you leave tonight? The Raikage and Hokage have been acting all weird lately. What exactly did you do? And the fact that Tsunade-sama has let you live this long is surprising enough."

"I see. So you know about what I did in Konoha. Well, lets say threats are easy ways to get what you want. We are old friends, after all." And with that, he disappeared into a whisp of smoke. I stood there for a couple of minutes, thinking everything over. The kages and Orochimaru must have come to an agreement not kill anybody during the Chuunin Exam, but that was sort of broken when Guru sent TenTen to another world, or wherever she is. But what could he threaten Tsunade-sama with?

All the thinking was starting to hurt my head, so I didn't prosecute the matter and left the mountain range, by the time I arrived at the town, it was already setting, and that was with flying. I only had a little time left to prepare. I had already decided to go with Orochimaru. Even if I had refused, something tells me that he would have kidnapped me anyway. I went over to Hinako's apartment she had rented and was lucky to find it empty. There, I wrote a note saying:

I'm going to be gone for a little while. Don't try to look for me, you won't be able to find me. Oh, and take care of the brat for me, ok?

Love,

Sarafu

I was even crude enough to put a little smiley face at the end. I smiled bitterly as I lay the note on the counter. I grabbed some of my things from Hinako's room, and went to go see Gaara. I would miss him the most. Unfortunately, I couldn't find him or any of his teammates. And here I was expecting to go on another date with him. I hope he won't hate me for leaving without saying good-bye. I don't plan on staying away for too long anyway. I perked up and began my trek to the other side of the town, where I found Orochimaru and his teammates waiting. They all smirked as I walked up to Orochimaru, who chuckled.

"I see. So you have it, too. The same look on your eyes. You desire power, don't you, my daughter?"

I stepped back. "I am not your daughter. And if I desire power, its to rip your heart out, if you have one."

"Such cold words. You're just like your mother."

"SHUT UP!! Can we just leave now? I'd like to make this as quick as possible."

Guru laughed. "No, you don't."

I glared at him and then followed Orochimaru, to who knows where. I can't say I wasn't afraid. This was probably the most stupid decision I've ever made in my entire life, but my life hasn't been much, has it?

...to be continued.